Hortense Parham

Hortense Parham

July 20, 1939 ~ December 7, 2023

84 Years Old

Hortense Melançon Parham was born July 20, 1939 in Hickory Valley, Tennessee to J. L. Ferguson and Lillian Ferguson, who preceded her in death. Hortense was a graduate of Allen White High School.  She subsequently matriculated to the Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee where she received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Home Economics.  She then began her teaching career in Hayti, Missouri, where she met her first husband Donald Melançon, Ph.D.  After relocating to Illinois, Hortense completed her Masters degree in Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.  Hortense taught Home Economics in the Kankakee, IL school system, for the rest of her career.  The union of Hortense and Donald gave birth to two sons.  Upon retirement, Hortense moved back to Tennessee.  After being widowed, Hortense reunited with her high school sweetheart, Rev. Robert Parham. 

Hortense confessed her faith in Christ as her personal Savior at an early age at Mays Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Hickory Valley, Tennessee. She later in life moved her membership from Catholic denomination to Baptist at Oak Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Bolivar, Tennessee.

Hortense was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Cecelious (Sunny) Ferguson, Robert (Punkin) Ferguson, and sister Imogene Cox.

Hortense was a dedicated and committed mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, teacher and friend. She raised her children to be strong and independent adults.

Hortense leaves to cherished her memories:

Husband - Rev. Robert Parham

Two sons,  - Douglas Melançon, M.D. and Girard Melançon, Ph.D.

Two daughters-in-law - Anne Maitland, M.D., Ph.D. and Sylvia Melançon, Ph.D.

Four grand-children; Jarred Melançon, Abiona (Abi) Melançon, Miles Melançon, and Madeline Melançon. 

Three sisters; Arnetter Wheeler (Joe Wheeler) , Sanda Ann Westland, and Mary Alice Ferguson and a host of loving nieces, nephews, family and friends, and her gardens.

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